Spring has sprung and I want to take a moment to just thank God. This blog will be a reflection of thankfulness and I'm hoping you will join me on this spring walk.

• I walk through the forest and I hear the wind whistling through the pines. They gently sway in rhythm to the song they are singing. The chatter of a mouthy squirrel lets me know not to ignore him. Birds dart and dip, chirp and join in a morning tune, one melody mingles beautifully with another like someone up there is creating a symphony. I thank Elohim, my Creator for the ability to hear.
• I climb a knoll to a spot where I can see a grand view of the Okanagan Lake, looking south to the bridge that spans across, and far north until the sweep of the mountains take it out of sight. I thank El Shaddai the God of the mountains, for the health and strength to climb a hill.
• I stop along the way, and bend at the knees to look closely at the buttercups, sunflowers, intricate wildflowers. I found almost every shade and color on my walk. I'm thankful for the ability to see and lift my praise to El Roi the God-Who-Sees-Me for the part of His personality who cared to create a world with flowers, and a Blossom (me) who enjoys them so much.
• There is a certain smell that permeates the air with sweetness as the leaves burst forth from their bud and spread like a butterfly coming out of its cocoon. I pass by a lilac bush with fragrance bursting from its blooms. I thank Yahweh Jireh, (The Lord Who Provides) for the seasons, the fresh start of spring, and for keeping all in rhythm. I thank Him for the gift of smell.
• I arrive back at my house and walk from flower bed to flower bed. I am an avid gardener. I dream and scheme of what perennials to divide and move where, what annuals would best fit each spot. Color and texture, sunny or shady spot, all come into play. I thank God (El) for creative hobbies, that bring joy and beauty to the world around me.
• I mosey to my back patio and slip into a chair. A hear the whirr of the hummingbird wings and look up to the feeder. I watch in awe as it dips and feeds, dips and feeds, all the while stationary, held in space by the velocity of its wings. How can people not believe in God?
• My husband has his early morning coffee pot brewing and he makes me up a foaming latte just the way I like it. He brings it out to me and kisses me on the forehead and walks back in the house. Such a light touch. So gentle. I thank the God of love, for the ability to feel touch, feel emotion, feel love.
• My mind goes to the week before…a Mother's Day surprise. My daughter in Germany and my son in Vancouver go through all the trouble of organizing the best gift ever. They commissioned (but then of course she did it for free) my sister Donna, who is a gifted artist to paint a picture of my dog Lyla who recently passed away. Then my sister and her husband delivered the gift—all a surprise. I cried. I am so thankful for loving family. Children that care. Sisters that go above and beyond to show unconditional love. Thank you Yahweh Rohi (The Lord is my Shepherd), for being my Good Shepherd and giving me the gift of loving family.
• I think about this Covid ridden world and press back the fear-mongering propaganda I've heard at the forefront of every news report. I take a deep breath slowly in and out. I lift my coffee mug and taste the brew. I'm thankful for taste. (Not so much for the extra ten pounds due to my love of taste. LOL) And I'm thankful God has all in His control. If He can make the sun rise each morning, make the flowers bloom, and the hummingbirds return to my feeder each spring, there is nothing too big for Him. I move my chair to a pocket full of sunshine, and whisper into the heavens… "Yahweh Shalom, You are the Lord of Peace. Having You in my life is the best. Thank you for your sweet peace."

I will leave you with a couple Bible verses I just love about creation but encourage you to read the whole chapter.

Psalm 19:1-3 "The heavens declare the glory of God: the skies proclaim the work of His hands. Day after day they pour forth speech, night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard." NIV

In other words, all nature points to the glory of God, and not one of us can stand before Him with an excuse that we did not see, hear, smell, touch or taste of His goodness.

Grab a coffee or tea. You must take a moment to watch and listen to this amazing video by Brian Doerksen, Creation Calls. It made me cry, it is so beautiful.

To all my faithful readers. I will be posting a blog every second week rather than weekly due to the heavy writing schedule I am under, and the fact it is gardening season.